The South African Police Services cracked down on a syndicate believed to be behind the selling and supplying of explosives to criminals.
The syndicate, comprising three men and a woman allegedly supplied the explosives to Cash In Transit (CIT) robbers, ATM bombers, and illegal mining suspects.
The suspects were arrested in Welkom, in the Free State during a tracing operation by SAPS Eastern Cape Crime Intelligence, members of the National Intervention Unit (NIU) from Pretoria, as well as the SAPS FS Explosives section on Wednesday afternoon.
National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said they are believed to be involved in several cases where explosives were used in crimes in the Free State, Eastern Cape, North West, and Gauteng.
"The suspects were found with 40 explosives and several explosives accessories.
"Through Operation Shanela police have seized 11 481 explosives during roadblocks, tracing as well as stop and search operations since May 2023".
Mathe added that 173 suspects have also been arrested during the same period for the illegal possession of explosives.
All four suspects are expected to appear before the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges relating to contravening Explosives Act 26 of 1956.
